The RUF name is only known amongst car enthusiasts, but is synonymous with developing even higher-performance versions of Porsche's road cars. The company's most famous car to date is the RUF CTR, or 'Yellow Bird' as it was known when it held the fastest production car in the world title. Celebrating that car's 20th anniversary, as well as marking the opening of a swanky new factory in Bahrain, RUF revealed the CTR3, the first RUF not based entirely on an existing Porsche.

Naturally, given the company's experience, the CTR3 borrows heavily from the Porsche parts bin, and the company's new designer (Ben Soderberg - just 26) has created a shape that would not be out of place in the current Porsche line-up, with a smattering of retro Le Mans racer detailing for good measure.

From some angles, the RUF CTR3 takes on the appearance of a curvier Carrera GT, but potential owners will be delighted to hear that the RUF car should blow Porsche's own supercar into the weeds. Built on a bespoke tubular spaceframe, draped with Kevlar bodywork, it weighs less than 1500kg, which is impressive enough, but then you hear about the powerplant. RUF uses a version of the 911's watercooled flat-six engine, but manages to extract an eye-watering 695bhp from the 3.7-litre unit thanks to twin KKK turbochargers and twin air-to-air intercoolers. Maximum torque is just phenomenal too, at 656lb.ft from 4000rpm.

Naturally, on-paper performance is going to be stellar, with 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds and a top speed estimated at 233mph. The latter claim makes it clear that RUF is not trying to snatch the current top speed record from Bugatti. Instead, RUF wants the CTR3 to be about driving, not just high speed.

The next step is for extensive prototype testing and setting up the new factory in Bahrain for production. The scene looks set for RUF to become a household name. The CTR3's designer, Soderberg, sums up the company's ambitions: "It is our first step towards a completely new design from the ground up, but it is also filled with the spirit of Alois Ruf and this company. Porsche will never fade from his affection, but ultimately he is a motor manufacturer and the thrill for him is to design and build his own products. Our core business, the business he has built up and the knowledge and passion that he is renowned for, will never go away but there are more products to come."